"Love Elwood"

Been living overseas for 3 years and have just returned to Elwood. We missed the community feel, beautiful tree lined streets, cafes, beach, dog friendly environment, Elsternwick and Brighton beach dog parks, and so much more. A beautiful part of Melbourne, my favorite place by far.

"Good location but very mixed demographics and killer hay fever"

We lived here for about a year when we just moved to Melbourne. It’s obviously near to the beach, which is great. Neighbour’s range from rich stuck ups to lower income apartment dwellers. Nothing much in between really. It’s pretty boring and not very trendy. Glen Huntley road has some restaurats but nothing interesting and mostly overpriced. Public transport takes long to reach the city from where we lived, about 35 to 40 minutes, which is about the same as somewhere like Springvale! Trams are very slow. One thing that hit us very hard was hay fever. The are is full of plain trees and it made us really sick during spring! To the extent of actually being in bed unable to operate. But yeah you are near to the beach and it’s kinda pretty.

"The positives and negatives of Elwood"

I have been a resident of Elwood for 15 years and feel it has been a lovely suburb to raise my child in. It is not a place I would like to reside in forever, though, as I would prefer to live somewhere with more space, fresh air and safety that is further out from the city.

Like any suburb, there are positives and negatives and it all depends on the type of person you are and what lifestyle you prefer. There is a lot to appreciate such as the leafy streets, the fact that it is very family orientated, it is a pretty established suburb, the many walking tracks, close proximity to the beach, a lot of beautiful new houses being built, primary schools with a great reputation, many parks and more.I know of many families and singles who have money but not all of them are horrible, pretentious snobs. There are some very kind, down to earth people. Not every single resident in Elwood is swimming in money.It is rather eclectic consisting of students, single professionals, big families, single parents and gay couples. Many residents are trendy and modern but certainly not all. A lot of new townhouses and apartments are being built and the roads and footpaths are always being well maintained. The once Bohemian suburb is now conservative.In surrounding suburbs there are many good private high schools and major shopping centres are not far away. It is beautiful in summer and pretty in Autumn. Many people ride their bikes here. Public transport is all around.There are many children growing up in Elwood with plenty of activities on offer for them. There are some really great Childcare Centres and Kindergartens and Elsternwick Park is a really lovely place for people to spend time in.

Elwood also has its downside but I don't know of any suburb that is perfect. There is a lot of graffitti and it's not pretty. There are also a lot of bike thefts and car break ins. It is too close to the dirtiness and crime of St Kilda and Balaclava. These neighbouring suburbs are known to be pure trouble with a lot of crime, backpackers, drug addicts and homeless alcoholics. I have witnessed some shocking things in the last few years and I no longer feel safe living in inner city the way I once did.You will always find a homeless person begging and sometimes sleeping outside of every supermarket in St Kilda, Balaclava and Elsternwick. I feel safer shopping in Brighton where it is quieter and has a nicer feel.

Elwood is extremely congested and cramped and certainly not known for its wide open spaces. Parking is ridiculous and is a real challenge for the many residents who don't have their own drive way or garage. There are also some pockets of Elwood that are not so quiet, especially if living in an apartment building and it is full to the brim with flats. I would not swim in St Kilda beach if someone paid me and although Elwood beach is a bit cleaner, it is certainly not like something you would find on the Morning Peninsula for example.The Plain Trees create an incredible amount of pollen each Spring which can be absolute torture for those who suffer from hayfever.Prices are always increasing to rent or buy but this is occuring in so many suburbs of Melbourne. Driving to the city is not always quick and straight forward even though it is an inner city suburb. With regards to the people here, of course there are a few who feel they are high and mighty as well as those families who prefer to make money rather than bond with their children but again, you will find that in every wealthy suburb. The answer is to just seek like minded people with similar priorities to yours.

So, to those who are curious about this trendy and wealthy inner city suburb and are weighing up whether to move here or not, please know that it is certainly not all bad as Elwood has some special aspects to enjoy. I know some people who absolutely love it and would never consider living anywhere else. Whereas others feel that it is not quite what it used to be and wish to leave to have a bit more breathing space.

"Melbourne's best suburb"

We lived in Elwood 10 years ago and have just moved back with 2 small children. It's quieter than St Kilda but has much more character than Brighton. I have an aversion to boring suburbia (Glen Iris, Camberwell etc) Elwood is a great place to live with a diverse demographic. Houses are expensive and in short supply but hold their value well. Public transport is not great but you can walk everywhere within the suburb. There is a lovely community feel in Elwood village. Glad to be back here!

"A trendy and expensive area, without decent amenities."

Elwood residents are mainly professionals, trendy and stylish people. Young families and immigrants tend to be priced out, giving the area a comparatively older and waspy (white Anglo Saxon) vibe.
There are major problems with congestion and parking. The area is not well serviced by roads or public transport, making it feel somewhat isolated and out of the way. There is no coles or woolies in Elwood. You have to drive to Elsternwick or St kilda Coles. Otherwise there is a small and expensive Foodies store on Ormond Rd. All major shopping centers like Southland and Chadstone are at least 20 minutes drive from Elwood. Elwood has lots of small and pricey 'boutique' stores. It is quite close to the city, but not well serviced by roads and the congestion means it can take a while to get to the city.
I gave it only 2 stars because it is too congested, not well serviced by roads or public transport, doesn't have decent shopping facilities and the cost of living is very high. I think it's not family friendly, as there aren't many kids in Elwood, ( kids need other kids for socialisation). A lot of people have 1 baby then move away. on the plus side Elwood offers the bay beach if you're a beachy person. It also offers a trendy (albeit pricey) cafe and bar lifestyle for those that are into that sort of thing.

EdC1I couldn't agree less with this review. We have two children and love living here. Yes, Elwood is expensive but aren't all suburbs where demand exceeds supply. Seems like the reviewer is frustrated she can't afford to live here and therefore brands everyone a pretentious snob. Who wants a large supermarket in their suburb anyway. Choosing a suburb is a subjective decision anyway.

2yrs+

christines11I agreee with EdC1, if you judge a suburb by the presence of a major chain supermarket you probably shouldn't be living in it. Why not relocate to the burbs where you will find a proliferation of malls and chain stores to keep you happy.

EdC1Whether you like a suburb or not is purely subjective. Most of the people writing negative reviews seem to point out that Elwood is expensive to live in which means the residents are elitist snobs. This points more to the chip on their shoulder rather than the attitude of Elwood residents. Some of the points that Amy identifies as negatives - Lack of a supermarket, small pricey 'boutique' stores. I would view as a positive. I enjoy living here and know I would not like to live in Noble Park or Coburg, each to their own.

Mar 25, 2018

eddieb2People have the right to voice their opinions, just as you have. I would suggest that you do not have to go around on homeley correcting everyone but accept as you said each to their own. Just because you like it in Elwood does not mean that others will. I guess this is part of the very Anglo Saxon feels s attitude that prevails in Elwood as noted by others too.

Mar 25, 2018

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The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual reviewer and not those of Homely.com.au.Report

"Close to the city but with peace & quiet"

Having lived in Elwood for a year, I love being near the beach in amongst quiet leafy green streets but still close to the city. Ormond Rd boasts an abundance of cafes and restaurants for all price ranges. Easy Fifteen is my personal favourite for coffee and Jimmi Jamz further up is great for super cheap, super tasty pizzas and pasta.

In terms of public transport, I get a bit frustrated having to catch a bus THEN a tram or train to work in the city. There are bus stops everywhere however I would love to be able to jump on a tram. I don't find the traffic too bad however I live in a dead end street which helps.

Easy access to the Bay Trail is also great. Some days I'll walk along the beach down to the Brighton Baths and back, or other days I'll walk up to the St Kilda pier for a change of scenery. Watching the sunset up on Point Ormond Hill is gorgeous too!

"Hard to live anywhere else"

I love this neighborhood - it is hard to leave! Beautiful tree lined streets, enough cafes, restaurants and amenities to keep me happy. It's close to the beach and has a canal running through it which is great for walks/runs/cycling (although it is prone to flooding). There are several farmers markets popping up and Elwood Village has a warm friendly vibe - I come down here most days to grab a cappuccino and read the paper. It is close to other cool suburbs too - St Kilda, Balaclava, Windsor - all easily within walking distance but you probably won't want to leave! Cons - the tree lined streets are challenging for hayfever sufferers; the parking is limited; not close to trams/trains (unless you live near Brighton Rd) but there is a bus that runs fairly frequently along Glen Huntly Rd; and the cost of living is fairly inflated.

"Something for everyone!"

Tucked between the bustle of St Kilda and the conservative nature of Brighton, Elwood is a varied community of all ages surrounded by parkland. Lots of singles and young couples fill the flats then graduate to the houses and town houses once they have children. Older people often downsize to Elwood from larger suburban houses too. We love the parklands which surround the triangle of Elwood and the beach which borders one side of the triangle. It's a great place for kids to grow up with plenty of access to public and private schools locally and in surrounding suburbs. There are buses connecting to the train at Elsternwick or taking you directly to St Kilda, Clifton Hill, Monash Uni, Brighton, Southland, even Chadstone if you are prepared to walk to Brighton Rd where you will also find the 67 tram. We have been here for 9 years, our kids have grown from primary to university years here and we all have many friends in the area.

"A Paradise for all!"

As an Investment: As a property buyers agent at Capital Property Advisory specialising in property investing for large portfolio holders, we have seen immense growth and recommend certain streets in this area to astute investors. Elwood is a hot spot and always outperforms the averages.

As an Owner Occupier:
I personally lived in Elwood for several years with my children and found the beautifully tree lined streets to be quiet, safe and friendly. This ideal location has everything at your door step, such as trams, shops, restaurants, cafes, beach, parks and much more.

Elwood is perfect for families, singles, couples and retirees and is only 8 kms from the city. The leafy surrounds provided much character with a combination of art deco apartments, modern buildings, Edwardian cottages and Victorian mansions.

Elwood beach is absolutely beautiful with play equipment, bbq area, running tracks and the Bayside Trail bike track. Furthermore it is only a short distance to the St Kilda botanical gardens which are certainly worth a look.

Experience the shopping precinct of Ormond Road and enjoy the cafes, bars and restaurants. Elwood is a world of its own and an outstanding place to live.

amy11I have to disagree that Elwood is good for families. I grew up in Elwood from age 11 to 23. And am about to leave the area soon, within a couple of yrs anyway. Kids and teenagers will feel isolated in Elwood, as there are very few kids and teenagers in the area.
But Elwood is a good place for young trendy singles, who can afford the cost of living in Elwood. Elwood gives off a pretentious vibe. As a student living in Elwood, I really couldn't afford the high price tag of everything in the area.
Because many people living in Elwood are wealthy proffessionals, with a high population of gay men, most retailers assume that everyone is cashed up. But then I may not fit in because Elwood is quite pretentious and I'm not that type of person. If you go to some of the outer suburbs such as Narre Warren, you get the great shopping prices and everything becomes so much less pretentious, you see so many more young families and kids. It would be easy to feel more at home there than in Elwood if you're a young family with kids, or if you're family oriented. Most mums in Elwood are in their 30's and in professional occupations. So career comes first, family last. But if you go to some of the outer suburbs there are lots of young girls pushing prams. The mentality is completely different.

cj35I have two teenagers and they have many friends in the area, some from primary school and others they have met at secondary school. There are several bus routes just around the corner and Elsternwick station connects to the bus. They happily use the public transport system to take them wherever they want to go. The sporting facilities in and near Elwood are fantastic, especially with the new pavillion at Elwood Park. In the future, Elwood will be even more family friendly as there are hordes of primary school children and pre-schoolers now living in the area. I don't think teenagers will have any problems finding friends in the area now.

2yrs+

kapelAs a 30 something Elwood mum, got to say I resent the comment that 'career comes first, family last'! Not in my family, and not with any of the families I went to mother's group with. I feel supremely at home in Elwood with three young kids. and I think it's a bit silly comparing Narre Warren, which is a long way out of Melbourne, with an inner city bayside suburb.

2yrs+

amy11When I say, career first, family last, what i mean is they work on their career before having kids, which is what the vast majority of women do in Elwood. Young mums are generally less career orientated, and would probably be 'priced out' of Elwood.

2yrs+

amy11I still think Elwood is not an ideal place for teenagers, because there are hardly any teenagers in Elwood and kids need other kids for socialization. It will continue to be dominated by 30-something career people. It has some major drawbacks like congestion, and a long distance from all the major shopping facilities. In addition it is not well serviced by roads, making it a bit disconnected.

2yrs+

Amandah CotchinHi amy11 have you moved out of Elwood?. I think it's fair to say Elwood is not your demographic and that's ok. You need to enjoy a big house in the suburbs with lots of young mums. It sounds like a good move for you to be near people in similar social situation with access to big shopping centers, amenities and supermarkets. That would be my worst nightmare of course which is why I carefully choose Elwood as my place of residence. That's the thing about Melbourne, something for everyone. I chose Elwood based on its cafe, village community vibe which is unique. It ticks all my boxes But of course I don't have children

2yrs+

pascalmI moved to Elwood in the 1970's and still live here in the same house. I've seen a lot of changes but it was great then and it's even better now.

2yrs+

christines11Amy11, clearly you don't have a career, that's ok, I don't judge you. Please don't judge me for having one, and a family, and living in Elwood and loving it.

2yrs+

estelledI don't get why people are so offended by someone else's opinion...although I am not living in the area of Elwood only contemplating returning there and perhaps as a renter I feel that the suburb I dwell in is not so mu h a statement about me as a person, not that I am beyond egoism when it comes to where I live, in fact just today I felt very dejected after viewing a property for rent in Sandringham and realising that what was within my price range (just) was not much bigger than a shoe box! I know it is easy to get wrapped up in our address and think that it says something about who we are when in reality it is the small and silent choices that we make in each and every moment that speak volumes about who we really are.

Mar 15, 2018

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amy11I have to disagree that Elwood is good for families with kids. I grew up in Elwood. Kids and teenagers will feel isolated in Elwood, as there are very few kids and teenagers in the area. It's not a very family orientated area!! It's more of a trendy suburb!!Elwood gives off a pretentious vibe. As a student living in Elwood, I really couldn't afford the high price tag of everything in the area. Because many people living in Elwood are wealthy proffessionals, with a high population of gay men, most retailers assume that everyone is cashed up. If you go to some of the outer suburbs, you get great shopping prices and everything becomes so much less pretentious, you see so many more young families and kids. Most mums in Elwood are in their 30's and in professional occupations. So career comes first. But if you go to some of the outer suburbs there are lots of young girls and women having babies.

MissPepperI love Elwood! From the beautiful tree lined streets, the canal running through the middle, the wonderful beaches and the buzz of ormond road with it's cute little shops and great eateries, Elwood is my favourite suburb in Melbourne! (And I've lived in 5 and worked in another 10 or so.)

2yrs+

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"Still the best place to live in Melbourne"

The best things about Elwood: The convenience of an inner suburb with the beauty of large old trees, stunning deco apartments, the peace and quiet, generally calm and friendly people without pretentiousness. Elwood is an oasis in the inner suburbs. Investment wise, it continuously out performs average prices. Not interested in living anywhere else!

"Great Spot"

The only negative in Elwood can be the limited parking in certain parts. It`s close to the beach, cafe`s on every corner, great place to exercise, great looking streets, fantastic transport and great schools. If you can afford it here you won`t be dissapointed.

"Great blend of beach and greenery with city life"

Elwood is unique as you are walking distance if you want the busy life of St Kilda or you can step back and enjoy the more quieter life of Elwood.. its walking distance to the beach and has great parks and tree line streets... Ormond Rd is the main shopping strip is always improving with the quality of shops and cafes.. Its a terrific place to live..

"A quiet suburb tucked away from the bustle of St Kilda"

Elwood is the next suburb on from St Kilda, but takes on a completely different persona.

It is a quiet residential suburb, full of high density apartment style living and the occasional home. It has a large park and some of the properties in the area flank the sea. The suburb has a few corner stores, delis and cafés, but for the most part it is homely and quiet with not a lot to offer apart from relaxed living.

It's proximity to the CBD is fantastic - only about 8 km and easily accessed by tram or bus. Also situated just one suburb over from St Kilda, you have all of the pubs, bars and cafes that you need without having to live in amongst all the atmosphere.

"Great beach, easy access to the city and nighlife not far away - a bit for everyone"

Lovely tree lined streets in wonderful beachside location, what more could you ask for?
There are plenty of places to get out for a bite to eat close by and it’s not too far up the road to St Kilda for that night out.
There are some older houses in the area in need of some attention making it the ideal spot for renovators wanting the character home.
Close to the beach with some great parks close by means there is plenty of room to jog, walk or just let the kids go wild.
It is easy to get into the city by car and won’t take long but when the area is well serviced by public transport why have the stress of driving? You could be in the city just as fast.